Monday, February 26, 2007

February Challenge - The Picture Maker


Since I was very little there were two things I loved most, creating art and being outside. . .okay maybe there were three things. I thought Steve Morey was pretty cute in his Cub Scout uniform in first grade. . .

Here I am seated under the biggest oak tree you have ever seen. Of course I have red hair. I always wanted red hair. I did try to dye my hair red and it just didn’t look good. Many of the kids I illustrate have red hair, thus I am living my dream of having red hair through my characters. They look much better in red hair than I do.

I have always loved fairies or should it be faeries, elves, gnomes and odd-looking almost sci-fi characters. I would love to do a book that had these type of characters. I am a lover of animals and I currently have two dogs and two cats. In this illustration you see Billy, my Tibetan Terrier and Lucy my cat.

I am holding a sketchpad and one of my favorite art tools, a mechanical pencil. I actually have kind of an obsession with mechanical pencils, and I own way to many.

I am wearing my favorite color as a child, red! I am also wearing one of my favorite pieces of clothing to put on a character, overalls. I do own some but they are cut off and I wear them in the summer. I am also wearing my favorite kind of shoes to put on a character, tennis shoes.

Last but certainly not least, you will notice a heart has been carved in the tree by my make-believe character and she has written her initials and the love of her life and my life too. . .Of course I used my initials when I was single since no child that age would be married.

So there you have it. All my favorite things nature, art, cats, dogs, fairies, elves, odd characters, mechanical pencils, and my hubby. . .




Sherry

7 comments:

Amy C. Moreno said...

Sherry,
It's such fun! Love those little impish faces peering around the tree..the fairy, and the red headed girl. How fun to hear the details of why you use red headed kids in your illos. It makes such sense. I also think that heart on the tree is such a cute touch. Love the dogs. Great job!

Ginger*:) said...

Ah Sherry, you are an artist wherever you are. I love this. And I love that you were able to 'feel' your way right into your storybook. Great job! The little message on the tree is the ultimate in sweet!

Julia Kelly said...

Sherry- this is a wonderful piece- it would make a great promotional- has so much character in it and expression- and you- have to do a book with all your faires, goblins, elves and the likes!

no longer here said...

Fantastic!!!! Your colors are wonderful!!! The expression on each face draws me in and makes me wonder what each character is thinking. You're so expressive. It was worth waiting for...

Gina said...

Sherry, I love the way you managed to fit in so many details about your self and your life! you have a great way with creating expressions and wonderful, vibrant colors. Beautiful job! -Gina

Anonymous said...

Wow thanks so much Guys! I wasn't sure how I felt about it when I finished it. Kept getting pulled away from it for other things. But finally got it finished. So it just seemed like such a looong process. Thanks a lot for the positive feedback!

trowbridge chronicles said...

What a wonderful, heart warming illustration, Sherry. If only life could really be this way. I like the exhilerating expression on your face, and the happy smiles on all the characters.